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Matt Bahr
Matt Bahr
from Wikipedia

Matthew David Bahr (born July 6, 1956) is an American former professional football placekicker in the National Football League (NFL), and professional soccer player in the North American Soccer League (NASL).[1] He attended Neshaminy High School in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, where he excelled in both football and soccer.[2] He is the son of National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee Walter Bahr, and is the brother of NFL kicker Chris Bahr; he and Chris are two of six players to have played in both professional soccer and the NFL.[3][4]

Key Information

Soccer career

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In 1978, he signed with the Caribous of Colorado of the North American Soccer League, for whom he made 24 appearances and made three assists. The Caribous traded him to the Tulsa Roughnecks during the season, and he made two appearances. On March 27, 1979, he signed with the Pennsylvania Stoners of the second division American Soccer League.

Professional football career

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Bahr in 1985

In 1979, he was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round of the 1979 NFL draft, from Penn State, where he was a consensus All-America selection in his senior year.[2] His brother Chris Bahr followed a similar career path. Over his career, which spanned from 1979 to 1995, he played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the San Francisco 49ers, the Cleveland Browns, the New York Giants, the Philadelphia Eagles and the New England Patriots. As a rookie, he won a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers in Super Bowl XIV. In 1981, Bahr signed with the 49ers, but was traded to the Cleveland Browns midway through the season, thus missing out on a second Super Bowl ring (the 49ers went on the win the Super Bowl that year). After discovering he had been traded, Bahr left a note on his San Francisco locker stating, "See you in the Super Bowl."[5] While this did not happen (the Browns went 5–11 in 1981), Bahr did get some retribution against his former team when he kicked a game winning field goal to give the Browns a 15–12 victory over San Francisco in week 11.[6]

His longest tenure was with the Browns where he played for nine years and was cut during the 1990 preseason.[7][8] In late September of that season, he was picked up by the New York Giants after a repetitious injury to Raúl Allegre.[8] He is best remembered for his performance in the 1990 NFC Championship Game on January 20, 1991, as he set an NFC Championship Game record with five field goals (including a 42-yarder as time expired) to lift the Giants past the 49ers 15–13. He also kicked what would prove to be the decisive field goal in Super Bowl XXV on January 27, 1991, as the Giants beat the Buffalo Bills 20–19, also recording a tackle on the opening kickoff.

Bahr played the final seasons of his career with the New England Patriots. In 1996, rookie kicker Adam Vinatieri beat him out for the starting kicker spot on the team, and he decided to retire after being cut by Patriots during the preseason.[9]

Bahr held the record for longest span for a player between Super Bowl victories at 11 years, until Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens went 12 years from Super Bowl XXXV in 2001 to Super Bowl XLVII in 2013.

Bahr finished his 17 seasons with 300 of 415 field goals and 522 of 534 extra points. Overall, he scored a total of 1,422 points.[10]

At the time of his retirement, Bahr was the last active NFL player that played for the Steelers in at least one of their four Super Bowl wins in the 1970s. Coincidentally, his last year in the NFL saw the Steelers return to the Super Bowl that season in Super Bowl XXX, their first Super Bowl appearance since his rookie season.

Career regular season statistics

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Career high/best bolded

Personal life

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He appeared in the 1980 television movie, Fighting Back: The Rocky Bleier Story.

He is now an electrical engineer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Matthew David Bahr (born July 6, 1956) is an American former professional soccer player and placekicker in the (NFL), renowned for his dual-sport and two championships. The son of Walter Bahr, a member of the ' 1950 team that famously upset , Matt Bahr grew up in a soccer-centric family in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, where his father coached at Penn State University. Bahr excelled in soccer at Penn State, earning All-American honors as a defender before transitioning to professional play. His brief soccer included stints in the North American Soccer League (NASL) with the Colorado Caribous and Tulsa Roughnecks in 1978, followed by time with the Pennsylvania Stoners in the American Soccer League. Bahr's NFL journey began when he was selected in the sixth round of the by the , where he contributed as a kicker to their victory in against the . Over 17 seasons (1979–1995), he played for six teams—the , , , , , and —appearing in 235 games and amassing 1,422 points, including 300 out of 415 attempts (72.3% success rate) and 522 extra points out of 534 (97.8% success rate). His most notable achievement came with the in in 1991, where he kicked the game-winning 21-yard in a 20–19 upset over the , securing New York's second championship in five years. Bahr's soccer background enhanced his kicking precision, making him one of the few athletes to succeed at the elite level in both sports.

Early life and education

Early life

Matthew David Bahr was born on July 6, 1956, in , . Bahr is the son of Walter Bahr, a inductee who captained the to a historic 1–0 upset victory over in the . He grew up in a sports-oriented household in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, alongside his brother , who later became an NFL placekicker for the and , and other siblings including Casey Bahr. The family's athletic legacy, rooted in Walter's professional soccer career and coaching roles—including at Penn State University—provided an early and profound influence on Matt's development in sports. From a young age, Bahr showed interest in both soccer and , shaped by his father's stories of international competition and the household's emphasis on athletic discipline and teamwork. This environment fostered his initial exposure to kicking techniques across both sports, setting the foundation for his dual-sport pursuits.

High school career

Bahr attended in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, during the 1970s, graduating in 1974. There, he demonstrated versatility as a multi-sport athlete, participating in soccer, football, wrestling, indoor track, and . His involvement in these sports, influenced by his family's athletic heritage, helped build his physical conditioning and competitive edge. In soccer, Bahr emerged as a key player on the during his senior year in 1973, co-leading the squad alongside Rich Reice to a strong early-season record of five wins in their first six games. This performance contributed to the team's regional competitiveness and earned him local recognition as a standout contributor in the . Bahr also focused on football as the during his junior and senior seasons in 1972 and 1973, where he practiced midweek and performed in games, refining the leg strength that proved instrumental in his later professional endeavors. His dual emphasis on soccer and football at Neshaminy highlighted his athletic adaptability, setting the stage for advanced opportunities in both disciplines.

College career

Matt Bahr enrolled at in 1974 and graduated in 1978 with a degree in , though his time there was heavily focused on athletics as he balanced commitments to both soccer and football. As a starting defender, primarily playing left back, for the Penn State Nittany Lions men's soccer team over four seasons from 1974 to 1977, Bahr was a key contributor to the program's success under his father, Walter Bahr. He helped the team achieve consistent competitiveness, including earning the Bill Jeffrey Award as the program's most valuable player in 1977 during his senior year. That season, Bahr was selected as an All-American in soccer, recognizing his defensive prowess and overall impact on the Nittany Lions' performance. Bahr's exceptional kicking ability, honed through years of soccer, first drew significant attention during his college soccer practices and games at Penn State, where observers noted his powerful strikes that often soared over goalkeepers and coaches alike. This talent led to him being scouted for football, prompting him to join the Nittany Lions football team as a starting in his sophomore year, where he utilized a soccer-style technique despite his primary focus remaining on soccer. His dual-sport involvement ultimately generated interest, culminating in his selection in the .

Professional soccer career

Colorado Caribous

Following his standout college career at Penn State, where he earned first-team honors as a defender, Matt Bahr signed his first with the Colorado Caribous of the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 1978. The expansion Caribous selected him eighth overall in the NASL college draft after acquiring the pick in a trade with the . In his rookie season, Bahr appeared in 24 matches for the Caribous, primarily as a defender, logging 2,049 minutes and contributing 3 assists while scoring no goals. His steady play helped stabilize the backline amid the team's turbulent year, though the Caribous struggled overall, posting an 8-22 record that tied for the worst in the 24-team league. The Caribous' 1978 campaign was marked by significant challenges, including dismal attendance—averaging just 7,418 fans per home game at the 74,000-seat —and internal instability, such as the mid-season firing of coach Dave Clements in favor of Dan Wood. These issues, compounded by ownership disinterest and financial losses, led to the franchise's sale in August 1978 and relocation to after the season, where it rebranded as the Atlanta Chiefs before disbanding following the 1981 campaign. Bahr's debut professional stint represented a key transition, as he honed his soccer skills on the pitch.

Tulsa Roughnecks and Pennsylvania Stoners

Following his time with the Caribous, Matt Bahr was traded to the Tulsa Roughnecks of the North American Soccer League (NASL) toward the end of the 1978 season. In his brief tenure with Tulsa, Bahr made two appearances as a defender, logging 101 minutes on the field without recording any goals or assists, reflecting the limited opportunities available amid the NASL's highly competitive environment dominated by international talent. This move came as Bahr sought to establish himself professionally in soccer, but the league's structure often favored experienced imports, contributing to his restricted playing time across teams. In 1979, Bahr signed with the Stoners of the American Soccer League (ASL), a second-division circuit, where he appeared on the roster during the early season but did not record any league appearances. His involvement was minimal, as he was present at practices and potentially games when he learned of his NFL draft selection in May 1979, prompting a shift in focus toward . The ASL provided a lower-profile outlet compared to the NASL, yet Bahr's short engagement underscored the challenges of sustaining a soccer career in the U.S. at the time, with rosters frequently turning over due to financial instability and competition from higher leagues. These engagements marked the conclusion of Bahr's professional soccer phase, which spanned less than two full seasons and totaled fewer than 30 appearances overall, serving as a foundational but ultimately transitional experience before his pivot to the .

NFL career

Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers

Bahr was selected by the in the sixth round, 165th overall, of the as a , capitalizing on his soccer experience to bring a soccer-style approach to the position. His selection came while he was still active in the American Soccer League with the Pennsylvania Stoners, highlighting the 's interest in his leg strength developed through soccer. In his rookie year of 1979, Bahr handled kicking duties for the Steelers across all 16 regular-season games, converting 18 of 30 field goals (60.0%) and 50 of 52 extra points (96.2%). He contributed significantly to the team's postseason run, including a 41-yard field goal in and extra points following two touchdowns in a 31-19 victory over the , earning his first as part of Pittsburgh's fourth championship in six years. Bahr returned as the primary kicker in 1980, appearing in all 16 games with 19 of 28 field goals (67.9%) and 39 of 42 extra points (92.9%), but faced increasing competition from younger prospects. The Steelers waived him just before the 1981 regular season in favor of rookie Dave Trout, ending his two-year stint in Pittsburgh. After his release, Bahr signed with the on September 8, 1981, stepping in as kicker while veteran recovered from injury. He appeared in four games for the 49ers early in the season, making 2 of 6 attempts (33.3%) and all 12 extra points (100.0%). With Wersching's return after those games, the 49ers waived Bahr, who was then acquired by the via trade. Bahr's early NFL years were marked by the challenges of transitioning his soccer-style kicking—characterized by approach angle and ball contact—to the NFL's requirements, such as using a and handling a prolate differently from a soccer ball, all while vying for roster security as a kicking specialist. His powerful leg, honed during a standout career at Penn State where he set scoring records, proved instrumental in overcoming these hurdles and establishing viability in the league.

Cleveland Browns

After being traded from the to the on October 6, 1981, for a ninth-round pick in the , Matt Bahr joined the team midway through his third professional season and remained their primary placekicker for the next nine years. Building on the kicking foundation he established during his early tenure with the , Bahr provided consistent reliability for the Browns, appearing in 115 games from 1981 to 1989. Bahr's performance solidified his role as a dependable scorer in the competitive AFC Central Division, where he converted 143 of 193 attempts (74.1%) and 248 of 252 extra points (98.4%), amassing 677 total points during his Browns career. He achieved multiple 100-point seasons, including 104 points in 1988 (24 s, 32 extra points) and 101 points in 1983 (21 s, 38 extra points), while leading the in in 1983 at 87.5% (21 of 24). Among his milestones, Bahr set a Browns franchise record with 14 consecutive field goals made, a mark later tied for second in team history. Bahr contributed significantly to the Browns' resurgence as contenders in the 1980s under head coaches (1978–1984) and (1984–1988), eras defined by the passionate "" fan section at Cleveland Municipal Stadium and aggressive defensive play. His steady kicking supported playoff appearances, including key field goals in postseason games during the 1986 (12–4 record) and 1987 (10–5 record) campaigns, when the Browns advanced to the both years. By the end of his Browns stint in 1989, Bahr ranked among the franchise's all-time leaders in field goals made and points scored by a kicker, underscoring his impact on the team's offensive consistency.

New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, and New England Patriots

Following his consistent performance with the Cleveland Browns, which established him as a reliable veteran kicker, Matt Bahr signed with the as a on September 28, 1990, after their starting kicker Raul Allegre suffered a groin injury. Bahr stepped in immediately and provided stability to the Giants' special teams during the 1990 season, culminating in a pivotal role in their postseason run. In the against the on January 20, 1991, he made all five of his attempts, including a 42-yard game-winner as time expired to secure a 15-13 victory and advance to . In the Super Bowl itself against the , Bahr connected on a 21-yard with 7:20 remaining, which proved to be the game-winning margin in the Giants' 20-19 triumph. Bahr remained with the Giants through the 1992 season, appearing in 38 games over three years and contributing to their competitive efforts in the early . However, after a season where he made 16 of 21 field goals but struggled on kickoffs, the Giants did not retain him during roster cuts in 1993, opting instead for David Treadwell under new coach . He then joined the later that month on September 24, 1993, following an injury to their kicker Roger Ruzek, serving primarily as a spot kicker in 11 games during his only season with the team. Bahr was released by the Eagles in December 1993 after missing several late-season attempts. Bahr finished his career with the , signing with them via waivers in December 1993 and playing through the 1995 season at age 39. In his final years, he demonstrated veteran reliability in high-stakes situations, including long field goals that helped key wins. Entering the 1996 , Bahr competed for the kicking job against rookie undrafted free agent but was released in August at age 40, effectively retiring after 17 seasons marked by clutch performances across multiple teams.

Playing statistics

Soccer statistics

Matt Bahr's professional soccer career in the North American Soccer League (NASL) was brief, spanning parts of the 1978 season with the Colorado Caribous and Tulsa Roughnecks, where he primarily played as a defender. Across these teams, he made 26 appearances, recording no goals and three assists, reflecting his role in a transitional phase before shifting to . In 1979, Bahr signed with the Stoners of the American Soccer League (ASL) but did not appear in any league matches, as he balanced commitments with his nascent NFL career. No advanced performance metrics from this era are available, underscoring the limited scope of his soccer tenure.
TeamLeagueYearAppearancesGoalsAssists
Colorado CaribousNASL19782403
Tulsa RoughnecksNASL1978200
Pennsylvania StonersASL1979000
Total--2603
These statistics highlight Bahr's modest offensive contributions as a defender, building on his college experience at where he earned All-American honors.

NFL statistics

Matt Bahr's NFL kicking career from 1979 to 1995 resulted in 300 field goals made out of 415 attempts, achieving a 72.3% accuracy rate, alongside 522 extra points out of 534 attempts at 97.8% success, for a total of 1,422 points scored. His professional soccer background provided exceptional leg strength that bolstered his kicking precision and power in the . Bahr's statistics varied by team, with the bulk of his production occurring during his nine seasons with the , where he established himself as a reliable kicker.
TeamYearsField Goals (Made/Att)FG%Extra Points (Made/Att)XP%
1979-198037/5863.889/9494.7
19812/633.312/12100.0
1981-1989143/19374.1248/25298.4
1990-199255/7375.382/8497.6
19938/1361.518/1994.7
1993-199555/7276.473/73100.0
His peak single-season performance came in 1994 with the Patriots, converting 27 of 34 attempts for 79.4% accuracy, marking his career high in both makes and attempts. Other strong seasons included 1988 with the Browns (24/29, 82.8%) and 1983 with the Browns (21/24, 87.5%). Throughout his , Bahr's accuracy trended upward from early volatility—such as 63.8% over two seasons with the Steelers—to greater consistency in his later years, surpassing 75% with the Giants and Patriots while maintaining near-perfect extra-point conversion rates across all teams.

Achievements and honors

Super Bowl successes

Matt Bahr contributed to two Super Bowl victories during his NFL career, showcasing his reliability as a kicker in high-stakes championship games. As a rookie with the , he played a role in their 31-19 win over the [Los Angeles Rams](/page/Los Angeles_Rams) in on January 20, 1980, at the Rose Bowl in . Bahr successfully converted all four extra point attempts following the Steelers' touchdowns and made his only attempt from 41 yards in the first quarter, accounting for three of Pittsburgh's points in the game. Eleven years later, Bahr delivered the decisive kick in , helping the secure a 20-19 upset victory against the on January 27, 1991, at in . In this closely contested game, Bahr was perfect on his kicking duties, making both attempts—a 28-yarder in the first quarter and a crucial 21-yarder with 7:46 remaining in the fourth quarter that gave the Giants a one-point lead they would not relinquish—and converting both extra points after touchdowns. His 21-yard proved pivotal, as it provided the final margin of victory after Buffalo's subsequent drive ended with kicker Scott Norwood's infamous 47-yard attempt sailing wide right, missing the uprights by inches and sealing the Giants' triumph. Across his two Super Bowl appearances, Bahr demonstrated unflinching accuracy, going 3-for-3 on field goal attempts and 6-for-6 on extra points, contributing 15 total points to his teams' championship efforts. In both contests, his kicking proved a decisive factor: the early field goal and perfect extra points in supported Pittsburgh's dominant offensive output, while in , his late directly countered Buffalo's high-powered attack, underscoring kicking's role in the narrowest of victories.

Records and awards

During his NFL career, Matt Bahr established several notable records, including the New York Giants franchise mark for the most field goals in a playoff game with five kicks during the 1991 NFC Championship victory over the San Francisco 49ers. This performance, which included a 42-yard game-winning field goal as time expired, also set the NFC Championship Game record for field goals in a single contest. Bahr led the in in 1983, converting 21 of 24 attempts for an 87.5% success rate while playing for the . He received no selections across his 17 seasons but earned recognition for his reliability as a kicker, contributing to franchise scoring consistency with the Browns through extended streaks of games in which he scored points. In soccer, Bahr's professional tenure in the North American Soccer League with teams like the Caribou and Tulsa Roughnecks yielded no major awards due to his brief involvement before transitioning to football full-time. His college honors were limited to recognition at Penn State, where he excelled in soccer as a defender. Post-retirement, Bahr was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame in 2015, honoring his achievements in both sports. A 2019 interview as part of the Browns alumni series underscored his legacy of dual-sport versatility, noting his seamless shift from soccer stardom—rooted in his family's athletic heritage—to success without formal kicking training.

Personal life and legacy

Family

Matt Bahr is the son of Walter Bahr, a pioneering figure in American soccer who captained the U.S. national team at the and later coached at Penn State University, and Davies Uhler Bahr, a champion swimmer at and physical education instructor at Penn State. He has two brothers and one sister: Casey Bahr, an All-American soccer player at the U.S. Naval Academy who competed in the 1972 Olympics; , a three-time All-American soccer player at Penn State who also had a 14-year career as a kicker; and sister Davies Ann Desiderio, an All-American gymnast at Penn State. Bahr has been married to Maresa Bahr since 1983. The couple has two sons and a , though details about their personal lives remain private and are not widely documented in public sources. The Bahr family legacy in sports, particularly soccer, extends to the next generation through Matt's nephews, including Casey Desiderio, who played college soccer at as a continuation of the family's athletic heritage, and Dieter Bahr and C.J. Bahr, sons of brother , who competed in soccer and football, respectively, at the and . This multigenerational involvement underscores the Bahrs as early pioneers of U.S. soccer, with Matt uniquely bridging the family's soccer roots to a successful kicking career alongside his brother . Public information on Bahr's immediate family life after retirement is limited, reflecting a preference for amid the family's prominent sports history.

Post-retirement activities

After being released by the in August 1996, Matt Bahr retired from professional football after a 17-year career. He settled in , , where he had family roots and had played early in his career with the Steelers. Bahr transitioned to a career in , drawing on his Penn State degree in the field, which he pursued for its stability and alignment with his mathematical background. He worked in the , including as an for Ultra Sports Academy, a he established to develop a multi-sport complex on 80 acres in . In 2015, he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing his athletic contributions. Bahr's media involvement includes an early appearance as himself in the 1980 television movie Fighting Back: The Rocky Bleier Story, portraying a Steelers player. Post-retirement, he has maintained a low public profile but has participated in occasional sports commentary and interviews, such as a 2019 discussion with Dawgs by Nature about his Browns tenure and life after football, and a 2025 legends interview streamed from . In that 2025 interview, Bahr noted living in with his family—including a grandson—focusing on , enjoying , engaging with technology such as AI systems and drones, and participating in the Harvard Football Players Health Study.

References

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